Antique-shop.com
Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: greenacres on December 27, 2010, 07:44:43 PM
-
I just purchased this necklace. I bought it of the turquoise and antique beads. I noticed it had a signature. I can't get a clear enough picture. I want to hear evryone thoughts and then I'll tell you what I paid for it.
-
Now here's a picture of the symbol. I couldn't get a better picture.
-
Maybe it is just the photos, but it is looking like lapis lazuli and glass to me rather than turquoise. Lovely colors!
-
Here is an example of lapis lazuli:
(http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/eps2//wisc/jpeg/l16sj75.jpeg)
Here are two examples of turquoise. It ranges from sky blue to a greenish blue:
(http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/eps2//wisc/jpeg/l16sj77.jpeg)
(http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/eps2//wisc/jpeg/l16s10.jpeg)
Also when you said "Indian" did you mean Native American or from India? I don't see a whole lot of Native American styling in this, but I could be wrong. I am absolutely no expert on this subject, just had a few pieces of jewelry of both lapis lazuli and of turquoise, and jewelry from both the middle east and also from the southwest US by native artists.
-
I love it! Looks to me like it has both lapis lazuli and turquoise. Can't really see the mark, can you describe it? Or maybe do a little sketch of it?
-
Forgot to mention that your beads could also be faience. This is an ancient form of ceramic paste, it's what the Egyptians made ushabti figures (human form statues that would do your work for you in the afterlife) and "mummy beads" from. It is still made today. It looks kind of like turquoise without the veins, although it can have brownish lines in it. I have a whole bunch of ancient examples of that.
Here is a faience bead:
(http://www.bead-database.org/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1564&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=40673f86f59a22e725b585df5e746d09)
-
Here are some examples of ancient Egyptian faience. As you can see in the photos it looks a lot like turquoise and the colors can be very different! There can be a lot of brown in it too.
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Ushabti1.jpg)
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Ushabti2.jpg)(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Ushabti3.jpg)
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Ushabti4.jpg)
-
I'm working on trying to get better markings for you.
-
My camera is not really goodenough my daughter says. I tried coping it and couldn't copy well enough, but here's another picture. The bottom mark looks like a horse or a dog.
-
I think I would take this to a jeweler to assess what stones you've got there and the origins. I think this one would need to be hands-on.
-
So, do you think there's value to it? Estimated guess? I found it searching through antique beads on ebay and held my breath till the auction was over. Either it was listed wrong or people are fixated on antique beads. I can't believe no one saw it, or they just didn't know what they were looking at because I paid a rediculous price for it.
-
I personally could not do that without knowing the age, maker or materials. Kinda hard to even get started.
-
For what it is worth, it does not look native american/indian to me. Not even any part. That does not mean it isn't worth $ though.
Tales, the faiences reminded me of the "Mummies" special exhibition I just saw at the Milwaukee WI museum. They had some displayed with the Egyptian mummies. A very interesting if not spooky exhibit of mummies from all over the world and not just Egypt. Makes one stop and think about death.
-
Funny, I was thinking 'Indian' as in sub-continent, not native American... ::) ::) ::)
-
True, mario, but as soon as turquiose and Indian are together in one sentence, native american takes over. ;)
-
It's a very pretty piece and anything blue tends to sell well and can get a good price. As long as Jeans remain the fashion, blue jewelry will always be "in" IMO. I agree with Tales about not being turquoise tho... However, from my 10 yrs in AZ I will say, anything turquoise is always said to be Native American whether it is or not... ::) Probably the same in New Mexico & TX...
As far as value goes, if you can figure out the maker, the price can rise significantly. I adore vintage jewelry - can't wear most of it - but I love it! It can be miniature pieces of art and well made at that. It is sad to see much being sold for scrap on eBay (and hopefully much of it wont be). There just isn't a ton of interest combined with a ton of inventory, which keeps the prices at rock bottom....
-
I felt bad buying it for $2.25 I knew it was worth more than that.
-
I think it's worth more too!! But it is the sad state of the vintage jewelry market if you're a seller. I would try to find out the make tho if it's signed.
One thing for sure... You will get far more than $2.25 worth of enjoyment out of it.
And FWIW: Lapis is a cool stone. Rocks are another thing I like :) I usually have a few in my pocket. They are said to have power :o Whether they do or not when I reach in my pocket and feel them I'm reminded of what I wanted to focus on for the day.
Lapis is associated with the clarity of speech and with clarity of speech comes clarity of thought. Also helps heal anything associated with the throat. I think it's also a stone of love and friendship....
-
Great find/buy! Nice blues.
Agree you should take it to a local jeweler for identification of stones. The hardware and connectors are the best indicators of age versus the other parts IMO on this one. Need better pics of these.
-
Over here you wouldn't naturally make that connection between Turquoise and Native American ... You never stop learning on this site. ;D
-
Mis. Blues here, lol I need a better camera! I took pictures of the clasp. I don't see anything. I'm trying to see if they are original.
-
Definitely a modern "lobster claw" clasp. If the beads are antique, they have been restrung, which does happen because the string deteriorates with age. Typically you see box clasps on antique jewelry. These have a tongue spring, which slides into a box. I'll get a picture...
-
(http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.158303523.jpg)
-
Years ago I used to study books to make my purchases, now I very rarely can fine deals. It takes me forever to fine something.This brooch I bought was because it looked like the book picture. It's behind glass or I would get a better picture. I've gotten some great buys from people who don't know what they're selling. It's their fault for being lazy and not checking first. This one has a slab of turquoise in the center and supposely opals and garnets. I never had it checked. This is the same maker and similar design.
-
Definitely feel your piece isn't antique or vintage by the current hardware/connectors on it. It just has more "modern" feel overall to it - as in the past 20 - 25 years.
-
Maybe I should stick with the books. :D
-
I was looking for clasps on indian necklaces. I think that it common for the clasps to be changed look at these examples.
-
Truly older necklaces had handworked metal items on them - not machined.
As talesof pointed out that many have been restrung and repaired over time but the truly collectible ones "look" and have the feel of being hand made even to the detail of each bead.
-
Native Americans today have access to the same things any other beaded necklace maker would have. The lobster claw clasp makes it unlikely that the necklace is antique or vintage. It doesn't say anything about who made it. However, I'm pretty sure it was not designed as a native american piece because it uses a variety of non-traditional materials. The lapis lazuli pretty well cinched that in my mind. I think you've got something that is modern and was put together by someone who picked the pieces because the colors went well together. I don't think there is a whole lot of deeper meaning.
There can be deep meaning in some of the Native American jewelry. I have one piece that was given to me by a friend, who had a Native American friend of hers bead it specifically for me. She asked her to make it "with lots of protection". I'm not sure what that implies, I'm guessing she would have prayed for my safety as she was making it but I really don't know. That particular necklace is just a single strand with no clasp, with drilled turquoise, and a red stone of some type, plus some silver-colored beads. It's very simple and I've always loved it.
There are also pieces that are created specifically to be sold and you can buy them directly from the artists in little roadside stands on the reservations. That is also what I feel is the best way to get kachina dolls. I have a few of those too. I feel that buying directly from the reservations not only supports the artists, but ensures what you are buying. You should be able to do the same thing online buy going directly to tribal Web sites and dealing directly with the artists.
-
Turquoise is a protection stone and also a healing stone. Actually, from my poor memory (when I knew more of such things) Turquoise is good for many things and was a popular stone in amulets...